Buffalo Tom

There are no surprises on Buffalo Tom's album from 1993, just a lot of good songs. There is an increasing range of dynamics in Bill Janovitz's vocal talents. He's becoming more and more comfortable with his voice and the quieter moments are becoming more frequent. That said, this is a great album and "Soda Jerk" and "Tree House" are the band at their finest.

In which the purely horrendous Dinosaur Jr. clones of Birdbrain enlist the aid of reputed pop producers to reconfigure themselves as virtually mediocre Soul Asylum drones. Don't despair, children, the attempted J Mascis roar is still with us--augmented, as they say, by jangle, harmony, and the occasional tunelessly rendered tune. Does college radio really believe this is art and Janet Jackson isn't? (Grade - C)